ROCKFORD - Rockford School District leaders are considering a unique trade with the city that allows them to get rid of an old building they no longer use and get road salt, trees, a sidewalk, an alley and part of a street in return.

The district no longer needs the old Administration Building at 201 S. Madison St., and is spending about $3,000 a month to maintain it. The city, however, wants to put a 115-spot parking lot there for the $21 million indoor sports facility it plans to build next to the old administration building.

Members of the Rockford School Board Operations Committee voted for the deal Tuesday night. The intergovernmental agreement between the city and the School District goes to the board for a final vote Tuesday.

"The idea is to trade equal value for equal value," City Administrator Jim Ryan said. "Ultimately, the citizens will be the beneficiaries of it."

According to the agreement, the district would demolish the old Administration Building, which used to be Rockford High School, by August. The estimated cost to tear down the building and perform any necessary environmental clean up is $725,000.

In turn, the city would give the district goods and services in the same amount minus $180,000, estimated five-year maintenance expenses at the building.

The goods and services the city promises in the agreement run the gamut from $147,500 in road salt, $150,000 in trees, $165,000 for a sidewalk at Froberg Elementary, $30,000 to vacate part of a street and an alley near East High School to help make room for a new fieldhouse and another $75,000 to demolish six houses for the East expansion.

Committee member Doug Brooks abstained from the vote because he is a Rockford Park District Commissioner. The district has pledged money toward the project - part of the Reclaiming First initiative - as have the city and Loves Park.